Middletown transcript., 1887-12-08
THE STORY OF THE TREE.
BY MRS. C. F. BAILEY.

Old and brown, stripped of its fol
iage, here and there bit of string o.
scrap of tarnished tinsil, its limbs gro.
tesquely ornamented with illshaped
masses of colored wax and thrown up
on waste heap together with coal
ashes and discarded tin cans, what
could have been more unsightly thar
this old Christmas Tree. But, for the
good I know it must have done, staid
my steps, meditating on what his story
might be, when there came rustling
among its dry brahcnes, and a voice
seemed to come in answer to my
thoughts. And these were the words
My home was away out yondel
where the white fields meet the noun.
tain. I can't tell how many years my
brothers and I spent playing with the
Storm King and whistleing in glee at
his fercest blasts. But there came
a time in our lives when all was chang
ed. An unknown enemy captured us
and we were transported to the pave
ment of busy, stirring city. From
the groups of chattering children about
us we learned our mission. The spirit
of the crowd seemed impaired to us
and we were happy. But with the
| gladness came pride, and with pride
dissension. Our merits were discuss
ed so often in our hearing that we took
upthe subject, and at times the debate
became so animated that our limbs
rustled with anger. ST am finer than
you ~ My limbs are fuller p' my
form is more perfect !" were heard SO
often that l wonder any of us were
chosen to bear the gifts that should
convey peace and good will. Finally
one of our members, wiser than the
others proposed that the matter should
come to an end. None of us could
judge correctly Of our own merits.
The only way was for each to perform
the duties that the strong power should
lay upon us, and then after the work
was completed, the festivities ended,
we should meet together, and each
telling his own story, the good accom-
plished should be the criterion of merit.
So our contentious ceased.
Ihad no pride. Mad frolics with the
wind when was too young to know
my strength, an ugly chip from boys
knife, and the persistent crowding OF
an imperious tree, combined to stunt
my growth, and SO marred my beauty
that I wondered myself at being
brought with my companions.
Turned over and pushed from side
to side as my brothers were selected
and carried away, jeered at and laugh.
ed over for my deformity, of all, seem
ed the only one who would have no
story to tell. At last I was left all
| alone.
While wishing much that it might
be otherwise, a little carrier boy with
newspapers beneath his arm come hur-
rying along his delivery route.
caught his eye, and slackening his pace
he looked at me SO longingly that had
I but possessed the power, I should
have stretched forth my limbs. Then
I heard him say:
"Oh ! if only could ! But we're SO
poor -
Then with a suddenly changed voice
he added, ST WILL" and turned his
steps and entered the store before
which was stationed. He was gone
but moment. He returned in COM
pany with brisk little man who was
rubbing his hands good naturedly and
saying:
"Well, if were to sell it, it would
be great deal more than you could
pay, but you see I don't intend to,
mean to give it to you. And see here,
my boy" and his face just glowed
when he said this, g is it little sister
that is to be made happy with that un-
slightly thing? Well come IN some
time when you are at leisure. L see
you are man of business and we will
talk the thing over, and may be find
some things about the store to make
your tree less ugly %
The boy said thank you," but his
voice was so queer that I looked up
and found tears in his frank eyes.
Z" Tut tut my man," said the
jolly grocer, "that will never do.
Shoulder your tree and march off,
a" must carry my papers first"
"All right ! No danger of any one
stealing it, and I'll be sure and not sell
it'll" 9
And so it came about that I fell into
the hands of Tim Morrison, was car
ried home and stored in an unoccupied
room Of the tenement that sheltered
the boy, his widowed mother and little
invalid sister.
After Nellie was asleep, Tim and his